This Week in the Governor’s Office: Week of September 25, 2017

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The week of September 25 in the Governor’s Office was shaped by his trip to Asia. According to a press release from his office, he announced that he and his wife left on Saturday 23 to travel to China and South Korea. He was in China on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday and South Korea Thursday and Friday.

Since Gov. Greitens has been in China and South Korea, he posted on Twitter only once and has not posted on Facebook, which is unlike the media-savvy governor – who usually never goes longer than four days without posting on Facebook.

On Thursday, the Columbia Missourian revealed that the Governor’s office refused to release certain information about the Governor’s use of social media, despite a Sunshine Law request. The Governor’s Office subsequently created an official Facebook page, as the First Amendment allows different behavior on a personal account than an official one.

On the other hand, First Lady Sheena Greitens has carefully documented her trip, highlighting her education and experience in South-Asian politics.

On Monday, the Governor and his wife met with the American Chinese Ambassador Terry Branstad, the former Iowa Governor and longtime friend to Xi Jinping. The Governor was with the madame Greitens who spoke about how Missouri can contribute to a better relationship with China.

On Tuesday, the Greitens met with third Vice-Premier of China Wang Yang. Wang is responsible for Chinese agriculture, water resources, commerce, and tourism. He is seen as the architect behind the Guangdong model of Chinese domestic economic development. According to First Lady Greitens, she and her husband spoke about “strengthening the Missouri-China economic relationship and educational exchange.”

On Wednesday, the Greitens joined Tian Wei on China Central Television, China’s state television broadcaster. They were on World Insight, a government-sponsored news show, and spoke about how the leaders from specific states can improve U.S.-China relations.

Enjoyed going on CCTV to discuss the role that US states and their leaders can play in the US-China relationship. pic.twitter.com/vSOWhc2NAt

On Friday, the Greitens spoke with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. The Governor also spoke to Choi Su-gyu, the South Korean vice president of SME and Startups and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), to facilitate cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. The MOU signals an exchange of information on policies related to business development and foreign direct investment. Additionally, it allows for small businesses and startups to exchange technology and improve business opportunities.

EPA-EFE/YONHAP SOUTH KOREA OUT

“We’ve agreed to increase cooperation and the need to create jobs through the promotion of business startups,” Choi told the Korea Bizwire, a South Korean-based English language news outlet.

Missouri’s first family also met with Missouri native troops stationed in South Korea.

Michael Layer is a reporter for the Missouri Times and the Missouri Times Magazine. He joined the Missouri Times in August 2017 after graduating from Goucher College the previous May. To contact Michael, email michael@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @_MichaelLayer

Michael Layer is a reporter for the Missouri Times and the Missouri Times Magazine. He joined the Missouri Times in August 2017 after graduating from Goucher College the previous May. To contact Michael, email michael@themissouritimes.com or follow him on Twitter @_MichaelLayer